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First Look: Devils-Senators
by David Carty

The Devils and Senators had similar roads to the postseason. Both teams pounded through the regular season finishing with over 100 points. (Only two points separate the teams.) Injuries stole ice time from each team’s top personnel: the entire EGG line of the Devils, and Jason Spezza and Mike Fisher of the Sens were just a few of the skating wounded. Each squad even had its own challenge in former #1 overall picks to square off against in the first round to reach this point.

Sidney Crosby and Vincent Lecavalier are stars of the game; they both provided strong offensive production against the Devils and Senators, respectively. While similarities between the two teams exist, their style of play couldn’t be more different. In what could be the best second-round match-up the NHL has to offer, it will be a classic battle of offense versus defense.

Forwards

When healthy, New Jersey’s EGG line of Patrick Elias, Scott Gomez, and Brian Gionta is a tactful well-oiled machine that can do as much damage as any line in the NHL. Just look at how they performed against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Gomez leads the NHL in postseason points heading into round two with nine. Elias and Gionta aren’t far behind with six apiece. Zach Parise’s breakthrough season featured the 22-year-old as a determined player with tremendous leadership skills. In other words, Parise was built for Lou Lamoriello’s system. Backed by specialists Jamie Langenbrunner (postseason wizard) and John Madden (perennial Selke contender), the Devils boast solid play up front that is not to be overlooked.

Yet the edge stays with the Sens. Dany Heatley is too skilled a player to fall into the trappings of the New Jersey defense and will make his presence known. Jason Spezza, paired with Heatley, has developed into one of the game’s better table-setters. Daniel Alfredsson still has some postseason demons to answer to, but no need to call an exorcist. Outstanding ability will always find its way.

Advantage: Senators

Defense

Richard Matvichuk missed 81 games during the NHL season with a back injury. But since his return he hasn’t missed a beat. In Sunday’s clinching Game Six, Matvichuk logged the second most ice-time on the team (22:34) and that was after being cross-checked by Vincent Lecavalier and missing the final minutes of the first period. Brian Rafalski has been as active on the offensive charge as any Devils player with seven postseason points. Paul Martin compliments Rafalski by logging a ton of minutes and playing a solid two-way game.

Anton Volchenkov has taken it upon himself to try to replace every inch of Zdeno Chara’s 6’ 9” frame. That’s mission impossible, though Volchenkov is effective in his role when staying disciplined and not getting behind the play. The yin to Volchenkov’s yang, Wade Redden, answers the call whenever needed. He possesses all the offensive ability Volchenkov lacks and the leadership abilities to command a blue line. In the end though, New Jersey has built its franchise on defense. This year’s Devils may not strike fear into opponents (that job was previously occupied by Scott Stevens); they still finished with the Eastern Conference’s best defense.

Advantage: Devils

Goaltending

Does the question need to be asked? Martin Brodeur’s accomplishments, postseason or otherwise can be rattled off by even the most casual Devils fan. If not for a kid named Sid, Martin Brodeur would be walking home with the Hart Trophy. Instead, Martin will have to settle for another Vezina trophy. If anyone was worried about Brodeur slowing down, setting the single-season record for wins with 48 did enough to silence the doubters.

After winning the starting job in November, Ray Emery has done more than a serviceable job in net for the Sens. His progression this season has reassured those who have said he could use more seasoning. But in the playoff season, Brodeur is about as close as you’ll get to perfection between the pipes.

Advantage: Devils

Special Teams

In the regular season, both squads finished in the middle of the pack on the power-play. Neither team was inspiring or disappointing, but the postseason has been a different story. The Devils and the Senators rank first and second respectively in power-play goals in round one. With the EGG line clicking on all cylinders, it appears that special teams will indeed be where the damage is done.

But not so fast; the Devils enjoyed the East’s best penalty kill unit and will not make things easy for Ottawa. The Senators themselves played strongly down a skater, but nobody can match the Devils’ ability to neutralize threats in their zone.

Advantage: Devils

Coaching

It’s the house that Lou Lamoriello built. The only problem has been trying to find a coach (not named Jacques) who he can trust behind the wheel. The other obvious solution is to handle it yourself. For the second time, Lamoriello fired his head coach with just weeks left in the regular season as he begins his second tenure as Devils coach. The players only had three days to work with Lamoriello, but the nucleus of the team is well familiar with his system and played for him in his first coaching stint.

Meanwhile Bryan Murray faces the challenge again. Murray is comparable to Marty Schottenheimer of the NFL, except that Schottenheimer has actually made it to the big dance before. With this talented a squad, pressure will be placed squarely on Murray’s shoulders to deliver results. Another second round postseason loss, albeit to the Devils, are not the kind of results Senators’ brass or fans will accept. And we know what happened to Marty Schottenheimer this off-season.

Advantage: Devils

Summary

An edge on defense means an edge on the tempo of a game. The New Jersey Devils have been reinventing the same formula for years under Lamoriello’s leadership and this year is no different. It’s hard to call Brodeur’s 2006-07 season a career year, but he set career highs in wins, games played, minutes, and shutouts; a scary thought. Heatley and company are plenty capable of squeaking a few past the stingy Devils defense. But when push comes to shove, the Devils resiliency and experience will win out in the end.

Prediction: Devils in five

Game Schedule
Thu, April 26 7:00 p.m. at New Jersey
Sat, April 28 8:00 p.m. at New Jersey
Mon, April 30 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa
Wed, May 2 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa
Sat, May 5 8:00 p.m. at New Jersey
Mon, May 7 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa
Wed, May 9 7:00 p.m. at New Jersey